Ruffino Alauda 2019

Ruffino Alauda 2019 is a limited-production Super Tuscan red blend from Tuscany, Italy, bottled at 14.2% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 91 points by Wine Enthusiast, this estate-driven cuvée represents the top tier of the Ruffino portfolio, blending 45% Cabernet Franc, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Colorino sourced exclusively from the vineyards of Tenuta Poggio Casciano.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.2%  |  Origin: Tuscany, Italy  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Estate: Tenuta Poggio Casciano (Ruffino)

Production & Heritage

Ruffino was founded in 1877 by cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino and is now owned by Constellation Brands. The Alauda label was introduced in 2011 as the house's flagship expression, produced in limited quantities from single-estate fruit grown at Tenuta Poggio Casciano near Florence. The Cabernet Franc comes from the Rapale vineyard, while Colorino is sourced from the Alexander vineyard — each parcel selected for site-specific character. After fermentation, the wine matures in new Jean Vicard French oak barriques, lending structure and aromatic complexity to the blend. The 2019 vintage in Tuscany was widely regarded as balanced and warm, contributing ripe fruit concentration without excessive weight.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dark, decadent layers of black cherry and blackberry, followed by vanilla and coconut from the new French oak. Underneath, subtler notes of black currant, ginger, and a whisper of star anise emerge alongside woody and earthy tones of dill and mixed spice.

Taste: The palate enters rich and fruit-forward, with ripe plum and dark berry fruit at the core. Mid-palate, vanilla and licorice accents develop, while polished yet firm tannins provide a structured framework. The balance between fruit density and oak integration is precise, with neither element dominating the other.

Finish: The finish is long and textured, carrying lingering impressions of dark spice, cedar, and dried fruit. Tannins remain present but refined, tapering gradually and inviting the next sip.

How to Serve Alauda 2019

Serve at 62–65°F (16–18°C) in a large Bordeaux-style glass. Decanting for 45 minutes to an hour opens up the more reserved aromatic layers and softens the tannin grip. This is a wine that rewards patience — it drinks well now but has the structural backbone for medium-term cellaring through 2028–2030. Given its concentration and oak profile, pairing with rich, savory dishes brings out the best in the blend; lighter preparations may be overshadowed.

Best For

• Gifting a Tuscan wine enthusiast seeking something beyond Chianti Classico
• A centerpiece bottle for a grilled red-meat dinner party
• Adding a limited-production Italian estate wine to a personal cellar
• Celebrating a milestone occasion with a structured, age-worthy red

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Alauda 2019 taste like? Alauda 2019 delivers a rich, layered profile of black cherry, plum, and blackberry accented by vanilla, licorice, and baking spice from new French oak aging. Firm but polished tannins provide a structured backbone that carries through a long, spiced finish.

How does Alauda 2019 compare to Ruffino Modus? Ruffino Modus is the estate's more widely available Super Tuscan and typically blends Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot at a lower price tier. Alauda is produced in smaller quantities from estate-only fruit with a Cabernet Franc–dominant blend and aging in new French barriques, resulting in a more concentrated, oak-driven, and structured wine.

Is Alauda 2019 good for cellaring? Yes — its firm tannin structure, balanced acidity, and concentrated fruit suggest a drinking window extending through approximately 2028–2030. That said, it is approachable now, especially with 45–60 minutes of decanting.

Where is Alauda 2019 made? Alauda is produced at Ruffino's Tenuta Poggio Casciano estate, located in the hills near Grassina, just south of Florence in Tuscany, Italy. The fruit comes exclusively from single vineyards on this estate, including the Rapale and Alexander plots.

What foods pair well with Alauda 2019? Grilled bistecca alla fiorentina highlights the wine's tannic structure and dark fruit. Braised short ribs with root vegetables match its richness and spice notes. Aged Pecorino Toscano echoes the earthy undertones. Wild boar ragù over pappardelle complements the blend's density, and a dark chocolate torte works as a dessert pairing alongside the vanilla and spice oak character.

What sizes does Alauda 2019 come in? Ruffino Alauda 2019 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Alauda 2019 worth the price? Alauda positions as Ruffino's ultra-premium expression, sitting well above the Modus and Riserva Ducale lines. Its limited production, estate-only sourcing, new French oak maturation, and 91-point Wine Enthusiast rating place it competitively among Super Tuscans in its tier — a strong value relative to more heavily marketed Tuscan bottlings at similar or higher price points.

Why Alauda 2019?

What sets Alauda apart within the crowded Super Tuscan landscape is its unusual blend composition — equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon with the rare native Colorino grape providing color and tannic depth. This is not a Sangiovese-based wine wearing international oak as a costume; it is a deliberately Bordelais-influenced cuvée rooted in Tuscan terroir. Limited annual production and exclusive single-vineyard sourcing from Tenuta Poggio Casciano make it a genuine estate wine rather than a multi-sourced brand exercise. For drinkers who know Ruffino through Chianti Classico or Modus, Alauda reveals an entirely different dimension of what this historic house is capable of producing.